Mod 19, light hammer strike

[riverdog]

Finally went shooting yesterday and took four pistols to the range for the first time, Model 19-5, Mod 586, Mod 629-6 and a Springfield Champ.

The Mod 19 however failed to ignite a primer with three hammer strikes. It shot the other five and then another cylinder with no issues. The trigger pull is very light which makes me think it may have a reduced spring which accounts for a light hammer strike. I put the round which failed in the 586 and it fired just fine.

BTW, the other weapons worked very well.
The 586 was almost boring. It was accurate with a very nice trigger. No issues.
The Mod 629 also shot well. Even though it's lighter than the Bisley Blackhawk it replaced, it has a much better grip and handled the same loads more comfortably. Very nice OOTB trigger. Big muzzle flash regardless of the load.
The Champ worked great -- POA/POI with no malfunctions shooting both ball and JHP ammo. All-in-all, a very nice day.

 

[blades67]

If the 19 does that again I'd replace the main spring. If it continued after that I'd take it to a competent gunsmith for a once over.

 

[MR.G]

Make sure that the strain screw is turned all the way in. If it is, I would replace the main spring with a new standard power one.

 

[riverdog]

I was needing to make an order with Wolff for some 1911 springs anyway. I'll just add a S&W K standard power main spring. It's a great trigger right up to the point that the hammer fails to strike hard enough. I may try this spring in my Mod 14 and see if it helps there -- maybe just swap springs. That's purely a range gun and misfires aren't critical. Thanks.

 

[JPM70535]

Just a thought, but check the strain screw to see if it has been filed down to lighten the main spring. Some gunbutchers have been known to do that so they can bottom the screw out and still lighten the spring. If so just replace the screw

 

[HSMITH]

Originally posted by JPM70535
Just a thought, but check the strain screw to see if it has been filed down to lighten the main spring. Some gunbutchers have been known to do that so they can bottom the screw out and still lighten the spring. If so just replace the screw

I have seen this too a couple times. A kitchen gunsmith is a likely candidate to just file the screw tip off, and give it a try.

 

[riverdog]

Thanks to all who mentioned the strain screw. I'm assuming that's another name for the mainspring tension screw. It was backed out a couple turns. I put it almost all the way in. The hammer seems to fall with a bit more force now; I dropped in some snap-caps to check it -- hopefully that fixed it. The screw seemed complete, no file work. Kuhnhausen mentions some of this on pg 54 of the shop manual. Just need to know what to look for.

 

[Jason Demond]

I have had the mainspring tension screw back out on my 686 and 27-3, causing FTF's. Screwed them back in, problem solved.

 

[4v50 Gary]

I call it a hammer spring screw. Tension has nothing to do with its function. It should be tightened down nice and snug. Don't back it out to reduce the trigger pull since it can result in it working its way loose. Don't file it down either. Leave it nice and snug all the time.